GBC Community Update: Why the need for the Easter sacrifice of Jesus? Pt.1

Good morning. Holy Week is underway, the most important week of the year for we who are followers of Jesus. This is a week to remember- remember what Jesus did and remember what an empty cross and empty tomb means- sin has been defeated and so has death.  That gives a hope which transcends understanding and also helps carry us through the days we’re in.
 
 
Good Friday Service
On 10:30am here at GBC, and our livestream, we will be reflecting on the cross and the payment Jesus made for our sins at our annual God Friday service.
Join us for this reflective time, with includes communion, as we consider what Jesus did for us and how his death sets us free.
 
 
Join us in Prayer
Now that our 40 Days of Prayer campaign is done, what was your experience like?  Do you have any feedback? Any thoughts to share?  You can send them to Patrick or me as we’d love to hear about this.
 
On Wednesday afternoons at 3pm a small group of people gather here at GBC for prayer. We’re focusing on the themes in the 40 Days of Prayer for March. Feel free to join us!
 
 
Thought for the Day:  Why the need for the Easter sacrifice of Jesus? Pt.1
At Easter we remember and celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus. Have you ever wondered, though, why He needed to do this?

The prophet Micah wrote: “I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness.” 

What does it mean to plead? Think of it this way: you’re caught. You’ve arrested and charged. There’s not much point in resisting since you know you are guilty. You stand before the judge, ashamed and humiliated. What can you do? There is no way out of this unless someone pleads your case. But who would plead the case of a man who has already confessed to the crime? Actually, only one person could do such a thing – the injured party. The only person able to speak for the criminal is the victim.

That’s the scenario in Micah’s courtroom description: I have offended the Most High God. He is the injured party. There is no question about my guilt. Therefore, only He is able to take up my case and bring about justice. The law demands punishment, but the victim can plead for mercy. If God doesn’t act on my behalf, there is nothing ahead but wrath and misery.

The Hebrew word we translate as ‘plead’ comes directly from the courtroom. It means to conduct a lawsuit, to contest and dispute in legal proceedings. God Himself uses this word to describe His accusation against idolatrous Israel in the Old Testament. Now Micah says that unless God takes up our sorrowful verdict, we are lost. In the court of heaven, I need the best attorney in all creation, and that, of course, is the merciful Lord Himself. That’s why there was a need for a sacrifice. More on this Thursday.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris